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The Broad Face, Abingdon
Abingdon
OX14 3HR
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Broad Face
Broad Face is an L-shaped pub with bar area to the right and seating to the left that runs from the front to the rear. The left side feels more like a dining area, so I stayed in the bar where the bar counter on the rear wall faces six or so tables. It wouldn’t take that many people to make this area very cosy. Premium keg is available and eight handpumps line the bar. These were drawing St Austell’s Proper Job, Kent Brewery’s Sunset, Hop Kettle Brewery’s C.O.B., Vale Best’s IPA, Adnams Ghost Ship, Greene King’s Old Speckled Hen, Chadlington’s Oxford Booooooo and Buntingford Brewery’s Oatmeal Stout that set me back £2.40 for a half. The service was polite, and I enjoyed the stout, but even though there was a good ale choice I’m not sure I could stay in here for an extended period.
On 18th November 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5243 recommendations about 5211 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Broad Face
Just a short distance from the Thames, this is a rather upmarket pub that looks on approach like it will be mainly geared up for diners, but in reality is quite a pleasant spot for a drink. The pub appears to occupy two adjacent premises that have been knocked through to a degree. You enter into the smaller right-hand side which has exposed floorboards, low wood panelled walls with dark paint of white tiles above, and a servery along the rear wall. The bar has a beige panelled counter front broken by a white tiled pillar midway along its length, with the pub’s logo on it, all fronting a rather plain modern bar back. This space is definitely the side favoured by drinkers, offering some decent chairs and plush leather button backed banquettes throughout, making it quite a comfy space to relax over a pint or two. The walls have been decorated with some fancy mirrors, shelving units and paintings, all of which help make the place feel a bit more pub-like. Moving through to the left-hand side of the pub, the bar turns ninety degrees in order to run towards the rear of this extended room. There are some lovely bench booths under the front windows and tables and chairs in the centre of the room, although these were soon removed to make way for a DJ who was gearing up for the evening’s New Years Eve celebrations. The walls are bare brick above low wood panels, but as the room runs to the rear, this soon gives way to a large mirrored wall with another plush banquette running beneath it. A loungey, chilled soundtrack was playing away in the background, but this was about to be switched off in favour of the eager DJ.
I was a bit sceptical about the prospect of finding any decent beer here, but there were five handpulls in operation, dispensing Butcombe Original and Chris Moose, Eagle IPA, Morland Old Golden Hen and Thornbridge Market Porter. Friendly staff served up a tasty pint of the Market Porter which was in fine shape, befitting of the pub’s inclusion in the latest Good Beer Guide.
This was definitely a great success in terms of exceeding expectations, with a pleasant lounge bar offering comfortable seating to enjoy a few beers from a hit-and-miss range of admittedly well-kept beers. The friendly service and nice ambiance would definitely encourage me to return again and I would suggest this is well worth taking a look at when in town.
On 29th January 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Broad Face
I'd passed this Greene King pub by on my previous trips to Abingdon. But on my latest visit on a Sunday afternoon, it was on my hitlist.
Situated a short walk from the bridge over the Thames, this was my favourite pub of 14 I visited in Oxfordshire over the last couple of days.
It looks small on the outside. But it actually occupies two buildings and it was very busy when I arrived. Luckily, there was a small table with my name on it close to the toilets. I think everybody else was there to eat. But this may change at other times of the day, as the real ale selection was worthy of a wet-led pub.
The only Greene King beer on was Prison Break, apparently due to there being an old jail opposite in times gone by. This is the regular beer and is most likely Hardy & Hanson's Bitter re-badged.
Guest beers were Hopback Crop Circle, Hanlon's Citra IPA, Bishop Nick Heresy & Oakham Green Devil. I chose the Citra, which ended up being up the first of two Hanlon's beers I tried on the day. CAMRA discounts are offered on halves as well as pints.
On 13th October 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Broad Face
Whitewashed exterior with pleasingly rounded corners. It is newly refurbished inside and fairly tasteful - black and white tiling, some padded bench seating etc though not intrinsically characterful and verges a little on the bland. Plenty of ales across a good range of styles and my Severn Pale was in good nick. Is this still a Greene King pub?? GBG19 listed and a decent place for a beer, though not as befitting a drinking pub compared to the Brewery Tap or Punchbowl.
On 14th February 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5081 recommendations about 5064 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Smith left this review about The Broad Face
Pleasant peaceful pub in a town with more than its fair share of noisy ones. Food is a priority here but it also has a nice traditional style drinking area. 3 real ales usually available, 2 from the Greene King range and a guest. They offer 40p discount per pint to CAMRA members. Occasional live jazz on sunday afternoons. Small patio garden at the rear for smokers. A pleasant place to unwind.
On 2nd July 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 47 recommendations about 44 pubs]